Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has inaugurated the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of rural roads totalling 209.77km, as part of his administration’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and improving food security in the state. The projects, launched on Monday, are designed to connect the state’s agricultural hinterlands to urban markets, thereby promoting rural development and economic growth.
A statement from Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, confirmed that these projects are being executed under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), an initiative jointly funded by the World Bank and the French Development Agency.
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The Kwara State Government has provided over ₦4bn in counterpart funding over the last five years to support this initiative. The total cost of the road projects has been pegged at ₦19.4bn.
Governor AbdulRazaq expressed confidence that the projects would have a profound impact on the state’s development, noting that the roads span 16 local government areas. Some of the key projects include the construction of the Alapa-Hoko road (0.7km), Madi-Peke road (17.5km), and Kpandarako-Ginda-Kusomunu-Bacita road (22.89km). Other significant projects involve the Gerewu-Eiyekorin-Okoolowo Expressway (3.07km), Lafiagi-Effagi-Putata road (9.53km), and Yakiru-Tabiru-Kenu rural road (59.69km), among others.
Speaking at the ceremony in Ilorin, which drew prominent figures from across the state, including members of parliament and the judiciary, Governor AbdulRazaq emphasised the strategic importance of these projects. “This flag-off represents the outcome of significant investment and planning. It underscores our government’s commitment to rural infrastructure, agricultural development, and sustainable socioeconomic growth,” he said.
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The Governor also praised the World Bank and the French Development Agency for their financial support and acknowledged the efforts of the Federal Project Management Unit under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for effectively coordinating the RAAMP activities across Nigeria.
AbdulRazaq further revealed plans to construct three Agro-logistics Centres, one in each senatorial district—Ajase-Ipo, Alapa, and Kaiama—along with additional rural roads in other local government areas. He highlighted the administration’s dedication to timely project delivery, adding that over ₦4bn had been paid as counterpart funding since he took office in 2019.
To ensure the durability of these roads, the Governor announced that he had signed the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF) bills into law. These laws, along with newly constituted boards for the agency, will provide a framework for the maintenance and sustainability of rural roads in Kwara.
